NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Despite a career performance from Allegheny College men's soccer junior
David Stekla between the sticks, the Gators couldn't overcome a persistent Christopher Newport University attack as they fell to the host Captains, 2-0, this afternoon at the Joe Pombriant / CNU Soccer Classic.
Allegheny (0-1-1, 0-0-0 NCAC) stayed within striking distance of a Christopher Newport (2-0-0, 0-0-0 CAC) team that spent time in the top five of the NSCAA Division III rankings last year, thanks to 16 stops from the third-year goalkeeper from The Woodlands, Texas. Stekla's double-digit save effort was the Gators' second in as many seasons as
Jake Pugliese stopped 15 shots at Oberlin on Oct. 20, 2015.
The Captains' first goal came off a corner kick in the 25th minute as Sammy Blosser's feed found the head of Patrick Burns, who knocked it in towards the back post.
Allegheny had its chance to equalize with about 28 minutes remaining off a corner. The kick bounced through the swarm of players in the box and ended up on the foot of senior defender
Aaron Donahoe, but his strike was ripped just left of the netting.
Another set piece in the 69th minute allowed CNU to double its advantage as Blosser connected with Jimmy Grace from just inside midfield.
Stekla's best save of the contest came in the 75th minute. The junior raced out to stop a one-on-one break on Stephen Durbin, but the clear went right to James Lee. Stekla then retreated towards the net, managing to get a few fingertips on Lee's attempt to push it just off the right post.
Senior midfielder
Liam McNamee led the Gators with two shots, while freshman
Jorge Olan and fourth-year
Nick Dias each put an attempt on net.
Nine of Stekla's 16 saves came in the second half.
Allegheny returns home to host the NCAC vs. PAC Challenge later this week. The tournament, which features Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) members Grove City and Thiel as well as North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) foe Hiram, begins on Thursday, Sept. 8. The Gators will play the Tomcats at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and hosts the Wolverines at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.
